Culture Days Weekend is Here!

Are you ready?!? Culture Days weekend is here!
I had the opportunity to help kick off this national celebration of arts & culture at the CBC with some of Canada’s top talented artists.
This is the ninth year that Culture Days has been in existence. Drawing it’s inspiration from Quebec’s Journées de la culture, Culture Days has been one of Canada’s exceptional annual events giving opportunities for literally everyone to either share or be a part of something greater.
This weekend you can find lectures, workshops, concerts and more happening in neighbourhoods all around you. Get out, grab a friend or two, and DISCOVER something new!

Culture Days Weekend National Launch 2018

Article reposted from culturedays.ca website

Debajehmujig Theatre Group

Culture Days is excited to be hosting a national event to kick off the 2018 Culture Days weekend. Together with media partner CBC, we will be welcoming visitors to join us for performances, activities and speeches as we launch Canada’s annual weekend to celebrate arts and culture.

Location: CBC Barbara Frum Atrium, 250 Front St W, Toronto 

Time: Doors at 8:30AM. Remarks and performances at 9AM. 

Performances include:

  • Flamenco dancing with Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company

  • Beat poetry from Toronto's Bam! Youth Slam

  • Live steel pan performance from steelpannist, Suzette Vidale

  • Dancing with Holla Jazz

  • Performances by Manitoulin-based Debajehmujig Theatre

Full performer details are listed below.

This launch is made possible thanks to the support of Chicago Title Insurance Company, our broadcast partner CBC and program partners Aga Khan Museum and Civic Theatres Toronto.
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Culture Days is ALMOST HERE!!!

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STEELPAN WITH SUZETTE WORKSHOP organized by the Toronto Centre for the Arts
WHERE: Toronto Centre for the Arts, Upper Gallery
WHEN: Saturday September 28, 2018

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WORKSHOP #1
Let’s Learn
1pm-2:30pm (All ages)

Join Suzette Vidale as she speaks about the steelpan, a percussive instrument invented in the 20th century. Interactive discussions will include the origins, evolution & current innovations.
Registration required

 
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WORKSHOP #2
Hands On Fun
2:45pm-3:45pm (Ages 8-18)

Learn a simple song, no musical knowledge required.
Youth Workshop for ages 8-18.
Registration required

Celebrating the Centenary of Nelson Mandela

It was an HONOUR to CELEBRATE the CENTENARY of Nelson Mandela. 28 years ago he stood at Queen's Park, only 4 months after been released from prison, and delivered a memorable speech to 15,000 people. Special thanks to Dewitt Lee for making this celebration possible, as well Isaiah Vidale-donawa, Jeff Walcott, photographer Shekinah Ashanti Holt and international students. 
TheMandela100 #Mandela100 #BeTheLegacy #LivingTheLegacy
#MandelaDay ‬

Barbados Ball 2018

"Having a ball for charity."

Source: https://bentphoto.pixieset.com/barbadosball2018/

Nocturnal Notes

Having fun at Berczy Park

Spring Steelpan Weddings

CONGRATS to newlyweds Adam & Nicole! The rain held up for the guests to enjoy their blessed union.
SHOUT OUT to Chris & staff from @granitebrewery for all of your help, much appreciated!
#SteelpanElegance #weddingvibes#steelpanmusic #steelpanwithsuzette#panvibes #PanWOMANonduty

Every Step of the Way Tour with Sunwing!

What a great evening playing for #Sunwing's 'Every Step Of The Way Tour' at the Paddock at Woodbine Racetrack. The Sunwing team really know how to set the vibe and have fun! THANKS for the hospitality! 
#1tothesun #sunwingmode #vacation #vacay#sunwingsteelpan #panvibes

RIEP Emmanuel "Des" Dickie | A Monument of Love

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HONOURED to have performed at the funeral for former National Cycling Coach for Canada/Trinidad, Emmanuel Desmond, aka "Des" Dickie.
I was taken on a journey described by his family, friends and athletes. They reminisced about stories of sacrifice, cheating death, discipline, charitable giving as well as him and his family embracing others as their own family. 
He was an amazing man who selflessly lived a life of LOVE -helping, coaching, motivating, encouraging, inspiring and uplifting those around him.
If we ALL took a page from his life, the world be in a better place. RIEP Des.
#desdickie #cyclingworldicon #monumentoflove #lifeisgood

Steelpan Surprise at the Glen Eagle Golf Club

SURPRISE! Sometimes families gift their loved ones with a steelpan performance. In this case, it was a surprise for both the newly wed couple and their guests right after the wedding ceremony.
Congrats to newlyweds Kara & Irvin!
#springlove #SteelpanElegance @gleneaglegolf club #steelpansurprise #steelpansundays

Panfest 2018

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Another successful year of over 500 students participating in the 29th Annual TDSB Pan Fest at Bickford Centre. With the participation of over 20 schools over a period of 5 days, the last day proved to be standing room only as students performed their selected songs. Special performance by Earl La Pierre had the students on their feet and jammin'.
#tdsbpanfest @TDSB_music

Pan School T.O. Launch

Special THANKS to all who attended the launch of Pan School T.O. on Monday March 19th at West Humber Collegiate Institute. The objective of this workshop was to launch Pan School T.O. as a resource for Itinerant/Music Teachers and students interested in playing the steelpan.

Fundraising for education through The Barbados Canada Foundation

Met some amazing people and talented musicians at the Valentine's brunch, an annual fundraiser for the Foundation's John Rollock Memorial Scholarships Program.

Celebrating Canada Day, Canada 150, At Nathan Phillips Square

July 1, 2017, 150 steelpannists, Indigenous, tassa, djembe & taiko drummers, brass musicians and members of No Strings Theatre came together to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday by performing the Canadian national anthem. 

Watch 150 musicians perform the Canadian National Anthem

Flashback | Black Women Paving The Way

Trent University Durham hosted its annual Black History event on last February 27th, 2015. The event celebrated the history and culture of black peoples under the theme of Black Women Paving the Way. It was composed of three prongs; community, cultural and educational, bringing together members of the community to share their experiences and visions. The event included drumming, singing, inspirational talks, food and crafts. Among the featured performers were Afiwi Grove, All Our Relations Métis Drum Circle, steelpannist Suzette Vidale, singers Nicolle Coco LaRain and Jonie Davis. The evening culminated with the presentation of the Local Hero Award.